John
07-06-2009, 04:11 PM
Ross had suggested that parents should put their sons up for adoption if they wanted a Hannah Montana MP3, prompting listeners to claim that he was being homophobic.
During the broadcast, on May 9, he discussed prizes in a competition themed around the fictional teenage pop star played by Miley Cyrus.
He said: "If your son asks for a Hannah Montana MP3 player, you might want to already think about putting him down for adoption before he brings his... erm... partner home."
Industry watchdog Ofcom ruled that the comment was "clearly presented as a joke" and part of Ross's "irreverent, challenging and at times risqué humour".
The presenter found himself in trouble last year after he and fellow DJ Russell Brand left obscene messages on actor Andrew Sachs's answer phone, which were broadcast on Radio 2.
Ross was suspended for 12 weeks by BBC bosses, but upon his return caused more controversy by joking about having sex with an elderly woman.
His radio show, which has been on air since 1999, features light-hearted exchanges between Ross and the programme's producer Andy Davies.
Ofcom said that the BBC presenter's latest remark was "based on the absurdity of the scenario and was not intended to cause offence.
"The fact that this comment was intended to be a joke was illustrated further by the reaction from Andy Davies, who was heard laughing.
"Ofcom therefore considered that the nature of the joke and the tone and manner in which it was presented made clear that it was not intended to be hostile or pejorative towards the gay community in general."
During the broadcast, on May 9, he discussed prizes in a competition themed around the fictional teenage pop star played by Miley Cyrus.
He said: "If your son asks for a Hannah Montana MP3 player, you might want to already think about putting him down for adoption before he brings his... erm... partner home."
Industry watchdog Ofcom ruled that the comment was "clearly presented as a joke" and part of Ross's "irreverent, challenging and at times risqué humour".
The presenter found himself in trouble last year after he and fellow DJ Russell Brand left obscene messages on actor Andrew Sachs's answer phone, which were broadcast on Radio 2.
Ross was suspended for 12 weeks by BBC bosses, but upon his return caused more controversy by joking about having sex with an elderly woman.
His radio show, which has been on air since 1999, features light-hearted exchanges between Ross and the programme's producer Andy Davies.
Ofcom said that the BBC presenter's latest remark was "based on the absurdity of the scenario and was not intended to cause offence.
"The fact that this comment was intended to be a joke was illustrated further by the reaction from Andy Davies, who was heard laughing.
"Ofcom therefore considered that the nature of the joke and the tone and manner in which it was presented made clear that it was not intended to be hostile or pejorative towards the gay community in general."